Laneway aptly marked it’s humble beginnings in a Melbourne laneway in 2005. It has since built a reputation as a festival with it’s finger firmly on the pulse of the music industry, despite canning one of Australia’s foremost up-and-coming artists from the bill this year (cc: Kirin J Callinan).
Nevertheless, we savour the release of each lineup with intense anticipation because the event delivers a solid slew of talent from around the world every single year; from artists who we don’t usually see in this neck of the woods, to absolute crowd favourites we can’t get enough of.For the Sydney leg of the tour, the weather was cool, clear and decidely perfect. We tipped in just in time for UK boys Shame who have received nods from the likes of Fat White Family, which might offer some indication of what we walked in on. Unwinding, The Babe Rainbow lulled us into a flowery frenzy right before we caught a highly anticipated set from Alex Cameron straight off the back of about two years of touring everywhere but Oz, including opening for The Killers (yes, they did Madison Square Garden). Roy Molloy’s stool review was an authentic delight.
Billie Eilish rolled out in a red tracksuit with a Louis Vuitton purse strapped to her back and she belted out her first song into a bung mic which somehow went completely unnoticed by the sound guy. We snuck in some quick muzzing courtesy of Kllo at the Red Bull stage before blissing out to (Sandy) Alex G over at Spinning Top. Sylvan Esso followed shortly after and systematically blew our minds with perhaps the most high-energy set of the day before we landed firmly back on the ground in time for Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. Then, back over to the Garden Stage for big favourites The Internet who always receive the warmest reception. Guitarist Steve Lacy also played a bit from his solo EP to the glee of literally everyone present.
Photos: Dani Hansen
Shame
The Babe Rainbow
Alex Cameron
Billie Eilish
Kllo
Sandy Alex G
Sylvan Esso
Rolling Blackouts CF
The Internet
Photos: Dani Hansen/Howl & Echoes
November can mean one of two things for the music community. 1) It’s only a month until Christmas, a phenomenon which will cause Michael Buble to emerge from his hovel to terrorise shopping centre playlists once again, and 2) it’s Aus Music Month, which not only means that there’s a stack of new local music out each week, but that we get to reflect on the very best of it.
We’ve put together a playlist compiling some of the best new music of the month so far. Enjoy!
Hollow Coves, Coastline
Brisbane based Hollow Coves wind things back to a time of simple beauty and peace with their atmospheric, uplifting folk. Similar to the floatiness of Dustin Tebbutt or early Georgia Fair, Coastline proclaims intentions of “moving away” to a place of sun, laughter, and happiness. Not one to listen to when the feels of 3:30 roll around in the workplace, but perfect for the excitement and beauty of an adventure.
San Mei, Rewind
The alt-rock songstress first rose to our attention with the grainy Revel, and the synth-driven Rewind shows that this new young-gun has no intentions of slowing down. A driving dance beat kicks things off with an ambient, dark riff before opening up into a sweeping half-time chorus. A dynamic, exciting tune from a singer yet to release her first EP.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wKLksJNB2U
Kllo, Walls To Build (Mall Grab Remix)
A soulful, moody re-work of Kllo’s wonderful original, the upcoming Mall Grab playfully mixes up the tempo and vocal delivery of the original cut, adding a bluesy keys line above the vocals, accompanied by a bass line straight out of an acid-jazz club. The remixtakes the bouncy feeling of the original and crafts it into something darker and more reflective. Perfect for the late-night playlist.
Holy Holy, Elevator
The band’s 2015 debut When The Storms Would Come was one of the most mature, well-crafted releases of the year. If new single Elevator is anything to go by, it sounds like the band is backing it up with another sensational release. The track slowly ascends to the heavens with a joyous guitar solo erupting out of the chorus, providing the song with the fuel needed to shoot onwards to a triumphant finish. Paint, the band’s new album, is set for release February 24, and the band is currently in the middle of a huge national tour.
Sa. May, Booty Calls feat. B Wise
Hailing from the Northern Beaches, the electronic producer/singer experiments with the world of reggae and hip-hop with this moody new release. A strong feature from B Wise gives the song a much-needed boost in the verse, and the melody of the chorus is infectious. A successful blend of styles from the young musician.
https://soundcloud.com/sa-may/booty-calls-feat-b-wise
The Jensens, Everybody Talks
The simplicity of good alt-rock will always have a special place in my heart, and this newest cut from The Jensens ticks all the boxes. It has a fun melody, a catchy chorus, a mysterious bridge and most importantly, isn’t too hard to follow. A summer festival-ready tune for sure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugSbVCLmJiY
ESESE, SVGAR
From the opening hits of the kick drum, it’s clear that this one isn’t gonna suit a DF with more than 2 people on it. The sensual track has a seriously strong Anderson .Paak vibe to it, and that’s no bad thing. The horns in the second verse turn up the heat on the track, and all it needs is a stronger beat to kick in. Unfortunately, this doesn’t eventuate, but a strong song is still a strong song.
Holly Throsby, What Do You Say
It’s been five long years since we’ve heard any new music from Holly Throsby, but thankfully half a decade of silence hasn’t dampened the creative flair of this songstress. What Do You Say is a beautiful duet with Mark Kozelek, touching on the themes of reconciliation and the effect of time on a relationship. The song itself is based around a simple acoustic riff which swells with the lyrics but never spills over, with the calm dynamic providing the perfect backdrop to the heartbreaking lyrics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi3KAa-xC7c
Alex The Astronaut, Already Home
Former Sydneysider turned New Yorker Alex The Astronaut returns to the airwaves with this laid back, reflective song. The song reminisces on the unchangeable aspect of life, with the singer lamenting the fact that there are “Billionaires for presidents and parking fines at hospitals,” whilst noting in a bemused tone that “kids in their school uniforms get off at the same time as me, I offer them my good luck…hope they’re happy when they are sleepy.” Sometimes life is just strange, and this song captures it perfectly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHrmwEGskJY
Isabel, Stay
2016 has seen a resurrection of neo-soul of sorts, and Australia is placing itself right in the mix. This cut from Brisbane songstress Isabel fuses some more electronic elements with the genre, and the result is a unique and exciting song that somehow grooves yet tenderly floats all at once. Exciting things coming up for this new singer.
Image: The Jensens, supplied
It’s almost that time of that year, where merry festival-goers nationwide journey to the remote Lardner Park to party their hearts out and ring in the New Year with style at Beyond The Valley. If you haven’t yet got the memo, this year in particular is boasting Beyond The Valley’s biggest lineup yet, showcasing an even wider range of hip-hop, electronic and rock artists then ever before.
If you’re still contemplating whether to go or not, or simply aren’t just entirely sure who to see, don’t worry, we got you! Here’s our top ten picks for Victoria’s tastiest New Years fest.
Jme
If you don’t know his voice by now, have you been living under a rock? Born in Hackney and raised in Tottenham, Jme is one of UK Grime’s early originators, and is a definite must see. Co-founder of Boy Better Know alongside his brother, who you may know from last year’s Beyond the Valley in Skepta, Jme has been making music for over 10 years now, cementing himself as one of the realest in the genre.
His most recent album Intergrity > embodied this. One of the hardest albums from the UK in recent times, it was an incredible mix of bravado, lyricism and classically grimey beats. Make sure you don’t miss out on one of the finest proponents of a genre that has never been more popular.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rivFCwwvoh8
Alex Lahey
Dropping her critically acclaimed B-Grade University EP back in July, and performing on Splendour In The Grass’ main stage as a Triple J Unearthed winner, it feels like almost overnight that Alex Lahey managed to brand herself as one of this year’s most promising breakout Aussie acts.
Backed by her upbeat and entirely feel-good style of garage rock, it’s almost the perfect soundtrack for those New Year vibes and hits like Let’s Go Out Tonight and You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me will be sure to make the crowd go wild.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDBqxBbdWS8
Ryan Hemsworth
From his distinctive sampling style, mixed alongside his even more notable electronic and hip-hop sound, there’s an adept level of diversity with Ryan Hemsowrth as he produces anything from a complex soundscape to a bass heavy trap tune.
No doubt the Canadian is one of the more unique producers around at the moment, and live this is no different. His mixes share this variety, smoothly transitioning from the ill-est trap to the cleanest house tune in a heartbeat. We’d also like to acknowledge that Ryan is definitely our favourite Hemsworth and it’s not even close.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14-OVAmgFo0
GoldLink
Despite performing so recently at this year’s Laneway Festival, we definitely aren’t going to complain that Washington emcee GoldLink is back so soon. He’s not coming empty handed though, since then he’s gone on to drop two new singles, the sultry Kaytranada and BADBADNOTGOOD-produced Fall In Love, alongside the equally groovy Rough Soul.
Adding these to his already diverse range of festival favourites, we can’t wait to see him bring his slick flow and dance-inspired raps back to our shores.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX6_tfJaFaM
Motez
Arguably one of Australia’s best dance producers at the moment, it doesn’t take much to be drawn in to Motez’s deep and booming house sound. From his signature funky bass-lines, to his irresistible grooves and soaring synths, it’s a combination that can easily slip you into a trance and have you dancing for hours on end.
No doubt you’ll see us cutting shapes when Motez time comes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LkorIdXrHw
What So Not
Despite losing founding member Flume in February of last year, Emoh Instead has been continually repping the What So Not name, and damn has he been putting in work. His latest EP Divide & Conquer without a doubt was his boldest work yet, packed to the brim with an array of choppy sounds and banging beats and contrasted with yet another selection of sky-high electronic ballads.
With this kind of diversity, who knows what he might bring to his set at Beyond the Valley. All we know is we’ll be grooving hard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsvPgCAAq1Y
Sticky Fingers
Armed with an even larger selection of powerhouse rock anthems with the addition of their latest album Westway (The Glitter & the Slums), this certainly wouldn’t be a top ten list without a mention of our favourite Sydney lads Sticky Fingers.
While we’re still recovering from their truly mind-blowing set at this year’s Splendour, their truly infectious blend of hard-hitting rock riffs, reggae-infused grooves and bellow-along choruses can’t come sooner, and we can’t wait to vibe out to them once again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ-pnbOxhcY
Kllo
Amidst all the moshing, shape cutting, and throat ripping sing-alongs, it’s helpful to your festival stamina to take things down a notch once in a while to avoid burning yourself out too quickly, and what better than with the cousin duo act Kllo. With singer Chloe Kaul’s beautifully luscious tone gliding over a range of their down-tempo and house influenced beats, it’s hard to deny the pair’s unmistakable chemistry.
Coming off the release of their debut EP, this invigorating duo certainly aren’t to be missed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYd4t5uINNY
Lunice
It’s been quite a few years since we last saw the Canadian bass king, but luckily for us he’s made it back. While you may know him for his work alongside Hudson Mohawke (also at BTV) with their duo TNGHT, Lunice‘s solo work is just as incredible, with a brutally dark and heavy sound that needs to be heard to be believed.
At the start of this year, Lunice onfirmed that his debut album 360 would be arriving sometime throughout, but despite this acknowledgement there still haven’t been any signs… yet. Perhaps Beyond The Valley will be the place we might finally hear some of these heavily anticipated tunes?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv70IhlW5D4
Chance The Rapper
If you weren’t planning on seeing Lil Chano, seriously…what are you thinking? Chance The Rapper is without a doubt one of the most genuine, talented artists in the game right now. After just three projects and a slew of collabs, his unique, loveable and feel-good sound has captured the hearts of millions worldwide, branding him as one of the most vital artists of our time.
While we can’t predict the future, it’s safe to say that seeing Chance live will be a lot more than your average gig, so just make sure you’re there to recieve these blessings, and if you’re having an off day and still need more reasons to see Chance? Check this out: What to Expect from Chance the Rapper’s Debut Australian Tour!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eedeXTWZUn8
Beyond The Valley:
28 December 2016 – 1 January 2017
Lardner Park, Victoria
Get Tickets Here!
Image: This Is Radelaide
It’s time for your weekly dose of the hottest new musical visuals, and this week we’ve got a bit of everything, including healthy doses of nostalgia, action and surrealism. Some of these videos are truly cinematographic while others are a bit of fun, either way they’re made for solid viewing, so you best pull up a seat.
Kllo – Sense
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSPETjXwLOA
First up for this week’s collection of weird and wonderful videos is the new one from Melbourne duo Kllo, off their EP Well Worn. A hazy meander, the video for Sense opens with a shot of the instantly recognisable Royal Arcade off Bourke Street. From there,the duo travel through the suburb they grew up in and wrote a majority of their music and other parts of the city they hold dear – everything from a typically chilly coastal adventure to restaurants, arcades, shopping centres and blossom dappled, homely gardens. The muted tones (courtesy of the Super 8 camera the entire thing was filmed on) of the video offset the nostalgia dripped mumble of the track, the piecing together of the different locations calling to mind the duo’s knack for blending pop and r&b. Intentionally unrefined, the duo have said that the am of the video was to “capture the honest aspects of our life at the moment,” in the same way they do their music.
Rainbow Chan – Pearled Into
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbifrpOlWOg
Headed to Sydney now with Rainbow Chan’s new visuals from her debut album Spacings. Her clip for Pearled Into is decidedly minimalist and plays with blank space. Dressed in all black, she pulls shapes around a stark white box of a room. The simplicity of the clip is captivating and calls attention to the crux of the song, which about working to rebuild yourself. With Rainbow’s angular, interpretive moves and the song’s themes, there is a wonderful marriage between the idea of dancing as though no one is watching and the line “Wear it with pride, girl/ Nothing can hurt you now”. Directed by Rainbow’s frequent collaborator Ellie Graham, the dance was choreographed by Amrita Hepi and while at first it seems simple and perhaps delicate, as it progresses it becomes clear that there is a certain strength at play here.
Tkay Maidza – Carry On ft. Killer Mike
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXKN_IBdhRA
Back down to Adelaide and we’ve got a fresh clip from the wonderfully talented Tkay Maidza. The first single off her highly anticipated, upcoming debut album TKAY (out October 28) Carry On was already a beast of a track and now it’s got a video equal parts gritty and vibrant to go with it. While the song features one half of Run The Jewels, Killer Mike, who was quoted last year singing the praises of Tkay, he doesn’t make an appearance in the clip. Rather, the video focus on Tkay and a small troupe of dancers as they switch up outfits, stomp around what looks like a makeshift photoshoot set and unashamedly make their presence known, as Tkay so often does. Filmed in London during her recent UK & European tour, the clip is a frenetic flurry of colour, style and shape that calls to mind Tkay’s live show and makes you want to dance like nothing else.
L-FRESH The Lion unBECOME ft. Jimblah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry4YrknLDdU
While Sydney’s L-FRESH The Lion has just finished a national tour, that doesn’t mean he isn’t taking time off. He’s just dropped the video for his Jimblah featuring track unBECOME. A captivating gray scale simplicity, the clips follows L-FRESH and Jimblah as they explore the implications of burnout that is often experienced by activists and social workers. Speaking about the concept, L-FRESH said that upon first approaching Jimblah to feature on the track, they spoke about “balancing your own expectations with other people, including you own community’s… We’d spoken about all of this a few times in the past.” The song itself discusses the anxiety that can come with trying to balance all those expectations while still doing the work to be a better person every day and how “many times, we are our own worst enemies.” The stripped back approach to the video allows the lyrics to really come across on their own.
Ta-ku & Wafia – (m)edian
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSQUYCh1rd-SSrQW6ckOofOtIDovWEiVh
Not content with selling out a New York date on their maiden US voyage, for their next trick Australian duo Ta-ku and Wafia have presented not one, not two, but three new videos for an EP they’ve titled (m)edian. Comprising of three tracks, the videos were co-directed by Ta-ku (his debut) with Collider’s Damon Cameron. A surreal, a cool-toned three part series, videos for the songs Treading Water, Meet in the Middle and the inescapable Love Somebody make up (m)edian. As the videos progress, we follow a number of central characters on their strange adventures that are best explained through simply watching the videos themselves. A highly stylized aesthetic which showcases Ta-ku as a multi-talented and yet utterly focused artist, the series feel more like a short, wordless and wonderfully perplexing film than video clips.
Sampha – Blood On Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oM1DFL43Lk
The international entry for this video roundup comes courtesy of one of the most intriguing acts out of the UK, singer-songwriter Sampha. Having collaborated extensively with a number of widely acclaimed artists (we’re talking everyone from FKA twigs and SBTRKT to Beyonce, Kanye West and Frank Ocean), Sampha has given us a frankly stunning piece of film which cuts together a number of threatening and somewhat bizarre scenarios. Perhaps most fitting thematically is the shot of Sampha running on a greyhound track before eventually collapsing, however it is the dramatic ending to the entire piece that tends to stick with you, giving off a sort of Weasley’s-flying car-meets-macabre-Green-witch vibe.
Pixx – Grip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4kONnKvqG0&feature=youtu.be
Also out of the UK is the new offering from Pixx (real name Hannah Rodgers), titled Grip. The song is lifted from her debut album slated for release early next year. Through a series of angular yet fluid movement and a forever twisting and turning camera, the song shows Pixx in what appears to be an abandoned home. Of the song and video, which seems to defy gravity, she said that “we go through life facing backwards, moving forwards without a clue what is in front of us.” much in the way we did watching the video, she said that is a concept she finds herself getting lost in.
Flatbush ZOMBiES – Trade-Off
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPYsfMd16JQ&feature=youtu.be
Finally, we wind things up in Shanghai with the new video from Flatbush ZOMBiES and the short film that provides the visuals for their track Trade-Off. Titled 65 to Life, the film was written and directed by British filmmaker Jayga Rayn and produced by his Shanghai-based production house. The video follows a, perhaps unlikely, duo as they embark on a night’s wicked antics. From a convenience store hold up to the drunken outing that ensues to the call into work the next morning, the film is fast-aced and utterly frenetic and makes for entertaining, enthralling viewing.
Image: Pixx (supplied)
If you’ve been to Splendour In The Grass before, chances are you might have been lucky enough to have attended one of the legendary pre-parties at Byron Bay’s institutional The Northern.
Just announced today, this year’s edition promises to be quite possibly the largest in pre-party history, with homecoming heroes The Avalanches set to headline the event. The trio have just released Wildflower (read our review), their first record since Since I Left You a whopping 16 years ago, and Splendour In The Grass marks their triumphant return to the stage.
With their headline slot at Splendour having previously been their only Australian show this year, you can expect The Northern to be an absolute sardine tin as people try and catch them.
Joining The Avalanches on the night will be power duo and another huge name in The Kills. They too have a brand new album out in the rollicking Ash And Ice to unleash upon their many Australian fans, the first time they’ve seen them in five years.
Perth trio Methyl Ethyl are on the bill as well. Fresh home off a jaunt in Europe and with their star shooting skyward off the back of their debut LP Oh Inhuman Spectacle and its massive singles Rogue and Twilight Driving, expect a blinder of a reception for one of Australia’s best young bands when they take to the stage.
Rounding out the onstage talent will be the Prince-endorsed Harts out of Melbourne. Insanely talented on each one of the many instruments he’s capable of playing, he’ll be turning the classic funk vibes all the way up.
With a DJ set from Melbourne duo Kllo in there as well, the 2016 Official Splendour In The Grass Pre Party is looking absolutely off the wall. As you can imagine given all this talent squeezed into one limited capacity venue, tickets are going to sell out like crack-flavoured hotcakes.
If you want in to this extravaganza then you’ll need to have your fingers hovering over your keyboards for either presale tickets available this Wednesday at 9am or general tickets, on sale Thursday from 9am as well. Head to secretsoundstouring.com for more information.
If you’re in Brisbane and can’t make it to Byron then you’re covered as well, tickets to the after party at The Triffid (featuring Years And Years, Lido, Moonbase Commander and Twinsy) are on sale now.
Splendour in the Grass is taking place from Friday July 22 – Sunday July 24. Full details can be found here.
Image: Supplied
James Blake, I Need A Forest Fire (Ft. Bon Iver)
This entrancing clip shows a revolving, purpleish soft light circle various objects like fossilised butterflies, orbs and half-covered figures of Blake and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. Constantly circling, the spinning adds to the haunting song, with it’s own hypnotic ability amplified by the trance-inducing movement; each spin revealing a different object illuminated in the lavender hue. Truly beautiful, it’s a simplistic take that amplifies the beauty of Vernon and Blake’s harmonies and the intricate, delicate production bubbling along below them. Taken from Blake’s recent album, The Colour In Anything, it’s a sad tune that revels in it’s forlorn sorrow, and is a true standout on the record – and this clip makes it even more so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAJgs1P-uUE
Kaytranada, Lite Spots
Having just released his long awaited debut album, 99.9%, last Friday, Kaytranada is wasting no time keeping that hype at an all time high with the release of a brand new clip. Here, in Lite Spots, Kay whips himself up a human-like robot, which he then proceeds to take out on the town and teach it a variety of dance moves. It’s lighthearted and amplifies the dance-y track, but also a heartwarming tale as Kay steps up as dad to the robot when he’s unable to pop and lock it just right. Lite Spots is one of the most danceable tracks on 99.9%, and this goes to show the beatwizard himself seems to think so too. It’s actually hilarious watching Kaytranada dance, with the cutest goofy smile across his face. Now we just want to know, where can we get a robot like this of our own?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZnou4zthz4
Kllo, Bolide
Melbourne electro soul duo Kllo returned in style earlier this year with Bolide, an upbeat tune that features sublime vocals from Chloe Kaul and footwork-inspired beats that represent a deviation from their native lo-fi sounds. Not that that is in any way a bad thing, Bolide is a catchy as hell tune with bright, feel-good vibes, and now it’s got some visuals to go with it. Starting off with what should probably come with a warning, strobe lights get a workout over hooded faces doing stretches in black and white before colour floods the screen. Figures dressed in black cut across and walk in different directions, which sounds chaotic but is actually rather calming. Probably thanks to how heavenly Bolide truly is. Set to head on a mini-national tour this week, Kllo are onto something big here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYd4t5uINNY
Image: MissInfo
After returning in style last month with their stellar new tune, Bolide, excitement is high for Kllo and their upcoming mini national tour. Having also been announced on the massive Splendour In The Grass lineup in July, the Melbourne duo are set to embark on a three date East Coast tour to celebrate their new single, new sounds and find their feet after a lengthy break away.
Bolide represents a deviation from their original sound, delving further into the electronic dance side of things and away from the lo-fi chill vibes that we first fell in love with. However, that is by no means a bad thing, as Bolide is a stand out track from a hardworking duo. Kllo are quickly becoming one of Australia’s best exports, and considering they picked up about 500,000 plays on Spotify in just one week for Bolide, it’s safe to say the world is catching on too.
Starting off in Brisbane on May 12 (supported by Lastlings and Seavera), the duo then head south to Sydney on the 13th (supported by BUOY and Marcus Whale DJ set), before what is sure to be a fantastic home show in Melbourne on the 14th, where they’ll be supported by Alta and Christopher Port. Check out more info here, and listen to Bolide below:
Thu 12/5 — Black Bear Lodge, BRISBANE (w/ Lastlings, Seavera)
Tickets — http://bit.ly/1U1eYmz
Friday 13/5 : Plan B Small Club, SYDNEY (w/ BUOY, Marcus Whale DJ)
Tickets — http://bit.ly/1SlZiYE
Saturday 14/5 : The Toff in Town, MELBOURNE (w/ Alta, Christopher Port)
Tickets — http://bit.ly/1WA9n7i
Image: Stereogum
This week is pretty electronic heavy, which we don’t mind one bit considering how good they all sounds. From all corners of the globe, but a heavy focus on local acts, this playlist will have you boogying into your weekend in no time! Enjoy!
Chymes, Oracle
This is the first single from Central Coast duo Chymes and as far as first singles go, this one is certainly up there. As magical as the song name would suggest, Oracle is a tinkering, hypnotic song that has hints of Purity Ring with its eerie vocals and captivating soundscapes, but it would be remiss to totally lump them in that category. No, Chymes shine bright on this single and will make just about anyone very keen indeed to hear the rest of what they’ve been working on with their Grow EP out later this year.
Kllo, Bolide
Kllo (formerly Klo) have finally returned with some new music, and holy shit was it worth the way. Bolide is a shifting, jolting number that has elements of footwork and garage-house with it’s beats, but is kept grounded thanks to Chloe Kaul’s heavenly vocals, husky and soft. Showing a bit of a change in direction from their previous EP last year which focussed more on the lo-fi vibes, Kllo have amped up the tempo here and are delving into unchartered territory. We cannot wait to hear what else they’ve been cooking up, nor can we wait to catch them on tour later this year!
Client Liaison, World Of Our Love
The purveyors of fine things and turn-of-the-90s nostalgia, Client Liaison, make their entry into 2016 with World Of Our Love– a liberating, upbeat, exciting song that heralds their return as some of Australia’s best dance artists. World Of Our Love is a dancefloor filler, and it’s thumping beat, swelling chorus and borderline euphoric lyrics make me just feel like everything is okay in the world now that new Client Liaison is out in the world. They’ve also announced a huge national tour, which promises to be their biggest and best yet if this new single is anything at all to go by. Head here for more details on that!
Left., No Way
Sydney duo Left. have been around for a while now, but I have never quite heard them like this before. Delving further into the indie electro arena, the pair are sounding better than ever. It’s an uplifting tune that hides a powerful message. Sarah Corry, one half of Left., said of the track that, “I want to be able to say something in our songs, to use my voice as much as I can in a positive way. ‘No Way’ was written in this time where we see so much deep seeded, dark abuse and mistreatment of women. Women’s bodies being found raped and destroyed by their partners – it hurts me so much to see this. I decided to write a song that was bursting with positivity and a powerful message that we have the power to own our bodies, our lives, our fate.” YES. GIRL!
Aeora, Medicine
Melbourne artist Aeora has changed her name up and really come into her own with this latest single. Previously going under the moniker “Aura”, Aeora is building on the success of New Thing and Out Loud with Medicine – and she is really bound for big things. Just listen to that voice around the 2 minute mark. The production throughout, expertly laid down and throbbing, is vast and massive as more and more is added to the fray. Produced by Owen Rabbit, this is the first taste from her forthcoming record Alt, out in July via local label Riot Expert Records, and we are expecting one hell of a release for that one!
GL, Grip
GL are back with a banger in the form of Grip– another throwback to the 80s in a way only they know how. Released alongside their previous single, Number One which was also a total jam, for Record Store Day last weekend. Ella Thompson, the “L” in GL, said of the track, “Grip is about physical love. This is a recurring theme in our album Touch. When something takes its grip and really has a hold on you, it can feel like a game of cat and mouse. You might say all the right things, try and keep your cool but in the end your body does the talking.” GL are about to go on tour with Client Liaison (mentioned above) and are an unstoppable force live. Don’t miss out!
Kid Cupid, Siren
They’ve already drawn comparisons to the likes of London Grammar, and for very good reason. Indie-electro quartet Kid Cupid make brooding, powerful indie pop with electronic elements infused to give it that extra depth. It’s expertly produced, sounding way more accomplished than their relatively short history would suggest, and it’s because of this that I have such high expectations of what else these guys can achieve. Big things are coming for this London band, with tribal drums, sensational vocals and harmonies and subtle guitar licks to really take it home. Very nice indeed.
Donatachi, Bubblegum (Ft. Rosebud Leach)
Out now via the legendary Sydney party crew Sidechains‘s latest mixtape, Donatachi steps further into his own as a producer and as an artist. Talking of the collab with Melbourne singer Rosebud Leach (who you may recognise from LUCIANBLOMKAMP tracks), Donatachi said, “Rosebud and I both share are deep love for bubblegum pop and wanted to do a sickly sweet, exaggerated version of the genre in this song. We wanted it to sound like Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask’s first dance at prom.” And they have achieved it! Sounding like PC Music meets a fairy or something, this is a shimmering, over the top exercise in pop music but it sounds so good.
Fifi Rong, Forbidden Desire
Beijing born, London based producer Fifi Rong sounds like a more badass Lana Del Rey, with her inviting voice but secret bite. Forbidden Desire is the latest release from the up and coming artist, and a taste of what we can expect from her forthcoming EP out next week. She’s worked with the likes of Tricky and will be featured on none other than Skepta‘s forthcoming album Konnichiwa, so if you don’t want to take our word for it then maybe theirs will help. Seductive, woozy and somehow chilled out even though it’s totally captivating, Fifi Rong holds it down here and makes it sound easy.
Katy B, Water Rising (Ft. MssingNo & Geeneus)
Another shimmering slice of pop from Katy B’s forthcoming collab heavy album, and it’s one of, if not the best we have heard so far. Her album, titled Honey, comes out today and Water Rising is the perfect tune to herald its arrival. The album sees Katy B working with many, many artists including Four Tet, Floating Points, Major Lazer, Craig David, Kaytranada, J Hus, Wilkinson, Jamie Jones, Sasha Keable, Novelist, Hannah Wants, Mr. Mitch, D Double E and more, and has already shaped up to be a formidable release. Working with electronic producer MssingNo and Rinse founder Geeneus, Katy B’s impeccable voice sounding commanding and powerful over the dark track. It’s an impressive song from a sure to be impressive album.